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Social security in Greece 2026
Employees contribute 13.37% of gross pay to the national social security fund (EFKA), withheld by the employer — and only on pay up to EUR 7,761.94 a month in 2026.
The self-employed left income-linked charges behind in 2020: they simply pick one of six fixed monthly categories, from EUR 250.77 to EUR 675.87 in 2026.
At a glance
- top rate
- 13.37% of gross salary (16.82% in blue-collar / hazardous jobs)
- entry band
- Charged from the first euro of pay
- tax year basis
- Monthly, withheld by the employer
- filing deadline
- Handled through payroll
- residency basis
- Employment or self-employment in Greece
- regime flag
- Cap of EUR 7,761.94/month — EUR 108,667.16 a year across 14 salary payments
Rates
Employee contributions (2026)
| Rate | Base | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| 13.37% | Gross monthly pay up to EUR 7,761.94 | White-collar employees |
| 16.82% | Gross monthly pay up to EUR 7,761.94 | Blue-collar / hazardous occupations |
Self-employed monthly contribution categories (2026)
| Category | Freelancers / self-employed (EUR per month) | Farmers (EUR per month) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 250.77 | 149.27 |
| 2 | 300.93 | 179.11 |
| 3 | 360.63 | 214.94 |
| 4 | 433.47 | 257.93 |
| 5 | 519.45 | 310.48 |
| 6 | 675.87 | 404.81 |
Thresholds & allowances
- Monthly contribution ceilingEUR 7,761.94 (2026)
Up from EUR 7,572.62 in 2025; nothing is charged on pay above it
- New self-employedEUR 150.46 per month
A reduced category (60% of category 1) for the first 5 years of activity
- Unemployment top-upEUR 10 per month
A fixed extra amount paid alongside the self-employed categories
- Deductibility100%
Compulsory contributions are fully deductible from taxable income
Residency
Residency trigger
Working as an employee in Greece puts you in the national social security fund (EFKA) automatically, with the employer withholding your share; the self-employed register and choose their category each January.
Non-resident treatment
Foreign workers employed in Greece contribute like locals; European Union coordination rules and posting certificates can keep short-term posted workers in their home system instead.
Notes
- The employer adds about 21.79% on top of your 13.37%, bringing the combined charge to roughly 35.16% — the employer side is outside this page's scope.
- Salaries are paid 14 times a year in Greece, which is why the annual cap of EUR 108,667.16 is 14 times the monthly ceiling.
- Doctors and civil or mechanical engineers pay extra fixed monthly amounts for their ancillary funds (EUR 46.57–66.88) and provident funds (EUR 31.05–44.18) in 2026.
- Contributions count in full against your income tax base, softening their real cost at your marginal rate of up to 44%.
FAQ
How much social security does an employee pay in Greece?
13.37% of gross salary, withheld by the employer, charged only on the first EUR 7,761.94 a month in 2026; the employer adds about 21.79% on top.
What do freelancers pay?
A fixed monthly amount they choose from six categories — EUR 250.77 to EUR 675.87 in 2026 — plus a EUR 10 unemployment top-up; new businesses pay a reduced EUR 150.46 for their first 5 years.
Figures: tax year 2026, compiled from public sources. Not tax advice.